Maccabiah 2026 Opens After One-Year Delay
The Maccabiah 2026 was formally launched on Monday night at a festive opening event on the roof of Tel Aviv City Hall, after being postponed for a year because of Operation “With the Lion.” The summer Games will be held under the slogan “More than ever.”
Israeli para swimmer Asaf Yasur and para judoka Inbar Lanir were chosen to light the Maccabiah torch at the ceremony. A new version of the Maccabiah anthem was created by the artists Nunu and Jimbo J, who also performed it for the first time during the opening event.
The launch took place in the presence of Maccabiah chairman Asaf Goren, CEO Roi Hesing, KKL chair Eyal Ostrinsky, Culture and Sports Ministry director general Kfir Cohen, and Tel Aviv-Yafo deputy mayor and acting mayor Lior Shapira. The ceremony was hosted by Assi Azar and Anna Aronov.
Among the Israeli Olympic and Paralympic athletes serving as Maccabiah ambassadors were gymnast Artem Dolgopyat and swimmer Moran Samuel. The event marked the official start of preparations for the Games.
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